Everlasting Light - A Civil War Romance Novella (2 page)

“You’re going to tell me Braeden is dead, that it’s been over a year and a half since anyone’s heard from him. You’re going to remind me that you fought with him in the great cavalry battle at Trevilian Station. You took a bullet to your left arm, and you saw that Braeden had fallen there in Virginia.” Alaina choked on the sudden flood of emotion. “I can’t believe he’s dead. I
won’t
believe it!”

Michael pulled her close, and her tears spilled down the front of his woolen tunic. “Why are you doing this to yourself?”

Alaina could feel his warm breath against her ear, and she pushed back, knowing it wasn’t right to allow herself this measure of consolation. She was, after all, a married woman. “If Braeden were really dead, I’d know it. I’d feel it in my heart.”

Michael’s brown eyes filled with both skepticism and empathy. “Come on, I’ll take you back home.”

Chapter 2

After supper that evening, the McKennas gathered around the hearth as was their custom. Mama McKenna read from the novel
Jane Eyre,
and as Alaina listened to the story, she embroidered on the handkerchief she planned to give her little brother, David, for Christmas. Jonathan McKenna, Braeden’s father, sat in a nearby armchair, sipping a cup of ground chicory they used as a substitute for coffee. Every so often he set down his cup, stood, and stoked the fire. Mama McKenna droned on without missing a syllable.

Alaina stifled a yawn and paused in her stitching. She was growing tired of hearing about the sardonic Mr. Rochester. Seeking diversion, she gazed into the hearth and watched the flickering flames until she felt almost mesmerized. And then she reflected upon a true romance. The one she shared with Braeden …

******

Jennifer Marie was in her glory on the night of her eighteenth birthday party. She didn’t merely walk across the polished wooden floor of the ballroom, she fairly floated—and she pulled Alaina right along with her.

“There he is! There’s that no-good cousin of mine!”

Alaina soon realized the latter had been spoken in jest because Jennifer Marie looked pleased to see the young man they were rapidly approaching.

“Braeden, I’m so glad you came tonight.”

“I wouldn’t miss your birthday party for the world,” he replied, placing a perfunctory kiss on Jennifer Marie’s rosy cheek.

“And now I’d like to introduce my very best friend, Alaina Dalton.” She gave Alaina’s wrist a good yank, forcing her to step forward. “She’s the one I told you about, Braeden. And just look at those blue eyes. A man could drown in them, don’t you agree?”

“I suppose he could at that.”

Alaina quickly lowered her gaze, her face aflame from the flattery.

Braeden took her gloved hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He bowed in gallant fashion.

Remembering her low neckline, Alaina curtseyed, using
ex
tr
eme caution. A heartbeat later, she
saw the unique color of his eyes—a honey-brown with golden flecks. Their gazes met. Alaina couldn’t seem to look away.

“I had a feeling you two would get along famously!” Jennifer Marie declared. “And, Braeden, I do hope you brought your devilishly handsome friend, Michael Wheeler, tonight. I’ll cry if you didn’t.”

“Oh, he’s here.” Braeden seemed to tear his gaze from Alaina’s. He searched the ballroom. “He’s here somewhere.”

“I’ll find him.” Jennifer Marie arched one winged brow, her expression a mask of determination.

Amusement flashed in Braeden’s gaze before he turned back to Alaina. “May I get you some punch?”

“Why, yes. Thank you.”

He strolled off toward the refreshments and returned within minutes. “Where are you from?”

“Sumter County. And you?”

“Richland County.” Braeden chuckled, and Alaina noted its warm, friendly sound. “We’re practically neighbors.”

“Very true, Mr. … Mr.?”

“McKenna. But please call me Braeden.”

Another warm blush crept into her cheeks.

“How did you and my cousin become fast friends?”

“Oh, it happened last year. You might say I was in the right place at the right time and just happened to meet Jennifer Marie in the process.”

“Hmm, I see.” He lifted a thick, blond brow. “I think I see.”

Alaina smiled into her cup of punch. “Perhaps someday I’ll tell you all the details.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” he said, a promising gleam in his eyes.

The string ensemble began to play another melodious piece, and couples waltzed into the center of the colorfully decorated ballroom. “I’d ask you to dance,” Braeden began, “but it goes against my religious convictions.”

Alaina expelled a sigh of relief. She feared he’d ask her and had been worrying over her response. “I share your opinions that way.”

“You don’t say?” His skeptical gaze assessed her in two quick up and down motions, and Alaina suddenly wished she hadn’t given in to Jennifer Marie’s request that she change evening gowns. Beneath Braeden’s questioning stare, she grew increasingly self-conscious.

After a few long moments, he changed the subject. “It’s a pleasant night. Would you care for a stroll outside?”

“That would be lovely. I’ll get my shawl.”

Alaina made her way through the throng of guests and climbed the elegant, winding staircase. Nita, bless her heart, was quick to find the gown’s matching lilac wrapper, and Alaina felt grateful to have a convenient cover for her bare shoulders. Descending the steps, she took notice of Braeden leaning against the balustrade, waiting patiently.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“Miss Dalton …” He lifted his strong, square chin. “You are worth the wait.”

******

“Alaina, I’m retiring for the night. Do you hear me, child?”

Shaken from her reverie, Alaina looked up at her mother-in-law. A likeness of Braeden’s eyes stared back at her.

“Are you all right, dear?”

“Y–yes, I’m fine,” she stammered. “I was just … remembering.”

“You do that far too often, I think.”

“I can’t seem to help it, Mama McKenna. I miss Braeden so much.”

The older woman straightened, a resigned frown chiseled upon her face. “We all miss him. And I miss Kirk as well. But I cannot bring back either of my sons by pining over what’s gone forever. Neither can you. You need to move forward, Alaina. There’s no two ways about it.”

“You think Braeden is dead too.”

“Foolish girl, of course he is!” Remorse immediately crossed her lined features, and her tone softened. “Alaina, it’s been over six months since the South surrendered. What would detain Braeden so long? Besides, you heard Michael Wheeler. He’s almost certain he saw Braeden fall on Virginia soil over a year ago. And Michael checked the hospitals and searched everywhere for him before he came home, maimed as he is.” Mama McKenna shook her white-blonde head, wearing a pitiful expression. “The hard truth is Braeden has most likely been buried in some mass grave in some unknown countryside.”

“No!” Alaina stood so abruptly that her chair toppled backward. “No, he’s not dead!”

With tears blinding her vision, she ran to her bedroom and closed the door behind her. Minutes later, she heard her mother-in-law’s voice waft across the hallway as she conversed with her husband.

“I fear for that girl’s sanity.”

“She’s been through a lot, Ellie. Let her be.”

“But I think we should have Braeden legally declared dead so we can all go on with our lives.” A heavy-laden silence filled the momentary pause. “Michael Wheeler would marry Alaina in an instant. Anyone can see he’s interested in her just by the look in his eyes whenever they’re in the same room.”

“That ain’t for us to decide,” Papa McKenna replied gruffly. “If Alaina thinks Braeden is still alive, and if she wants to wait the rest of her life for his return, we need to respect her wishes.”

“I suppose you’re right.” The acquiescence in her mother-in-law’s tone was unmistakable. “It’s just that Alaina is so young and pretty. Why, I hate the thought of a wasted youth. With Michael, she could have children.”

“It’d be a fine thing for Braeden to come home to—to find his wife married to his best friend.”

An audible gasp. “So you believe Braeden’s alive too?”

“I don’t know what I believe anymore.” Papa McKenna’s voice resonated defeat.

Leaning against the door, her cheek right up against the cool wooden frame, Alaina sobbed
. Oh, God, please bring my husband home!

Collecting herself, she walked to the window and pulled back the filmy drape. Moonlight streamed in through the glass panes, transporting Alaina back to another time when the moon, like her heart, was so bright and full …

******

“Will you just look at that moon,” Braeden remarked, gazing heavenward. “Why, it seems so close, I’d like to reach out and touch it.”

Alaina smiled. Her gloved hand was hooked around his elbow as they strolled about the Stokes’ well-groomed property.

He looked down at her. “My cousin tells me your father is a farmer.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Mine is also. As the firstborn son, I’ll be taking over our family’s farm soon.”

“I have an older brother, David. Like you, he’s destined to till the land.”

“And what are you destined to do?” Braeden stopped and turned toward her. He took both of her hands in his and gazed down into her face.

“Why … I don’t know.” The question surprised her.

“You don’t have any dreams you’re harboring?”

Alaina shrugged and pulled her hands from his, feeling shy. “Well, perhaps I do have one small dream.”

“Tell me what it is.”

They resumed their stroll.

“No, you’ll laugh at me.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

But Alaina still refused. She couldn’t possibly tell him her secret ambition. He’d undoubtedly collapse in hysterics as her father and her brother, William, had.

“Tell me,” Braeden persisted.

“You really won’t laugh?”

“I won’t, on my honor as a gentleman.”

“All right then.” Alaina looked at him askance and within a heartbeat, she felt certain she could trust him. Besides, it was about time for some honesty on her part. “Someday,” she began, “I’d like to study at the university in Columbia.”

“Hmm … and what’s so funny about that?”

“It’s funny,” she began, “because I’m not who you think I am.”

They both halted in their tracks and faced each other. Braeden lifted a curious brow. “How so?”

“I don’t come from prosperity. My family barely makes ends meet. This dress I’m wearing—it’s not even mine. It belongs to your cousin, and I wish I wouldn’t have agreed to wear it.”

“I gathered as much.”

“You did?” Her jaw dropped slightly.

A soft chuckle. “Your blush when we first met gave you away, my dear, not to mention the way you continue to tug on that wrapper.”

“I’m so embarrassed.” Alaina wished the earth would open and swallow her whole. “Jennifer Marie will never invite me anywhere again.”

“There, now … this can stay between the two of us.” Braeden threaded her arm around his as they began to walk again. “Jennifer Marie need never know about it.”

“Truly?”

“Truly.”

Silence accompanied them for a few steps around the garden. It was too early in the season for any blooms, but the evening was so pleasant.

“Have you had any formal education?” Braeden asked.

“I’ve gone to the Field School some. My mother taught me the rest. She was educated in Charlotte before her family moved to Sumter County. Still, I’d love to learn more.” Alaina momentary chewed her lower lip, feeling suddenly ungrateful for everything her parents had done for her. “I will say this about my family,” she added. “We may not have a lot of money, but we’re happy and we love each other. That’s all that really matters to us. Education is secondary when put in that perspective.”

“I agree.”

“What about you?” Alaina couldn’t help asking. “Do you have any dreams? Aspirations?”

“Actually, I do,” he admitted. “But it’s a secret.”

“I won’t tell. I promise.”

“You won’t think I’m crazy?”

“Of course not.”

“Very well, then. I’m fascinated with the railroad.”

“You are?”

Beneath the moonlight, Alaina saw him nod. “I think railroads are the future of this country.” He paused once more. “Can you imagine the importing and exporting the South could do if only our railroads went all the way to the West Coast?”

“Railroads instead of shipping by sea?”

“Yes, I think once the railways are developed, they’ll be a much more efficient means for transporting both goods and people.” Braeden smiled. “Have you ever been on a train?”

She shook her head.

He smiled fondly into her eyes. “Then one day I’ll take you for a train ride.”

Alaina lifted her chin in a challenging manner. “Do you always make such bold promises to perfectly strange young ladies, Mr. McKenna?”

“You hardly seem like a stranger to me.” He sounded earnest. “The fact is I feel like I’ve known you my whole life.”

Chapter 3

“Mama McKenna, I’ve made a decision,” Alaina said the next morning at breakfast.

“Oh? And what might that be?”

“I’ve decided that since I’m a burden on this family, I will go home to my mothermother.”

“Burden?” Her mother-in-law held herself in rigid surprise. “What on earth are you talking about?”

Alaina picked at the egg and potato on her plate, knowing this was more food than she’d eaten at one meal in weeks. Michael Wheeler, in all his thoughtfulness, brought over a few eggs this morning. Thankfully, at least a couple of his chickens had survived Sherman’s invasion. The potato was one of their own crops from last summer that had endured preservation. However, Alaina had no appetite. She couldn’t get herself to confess to eavesdropping, but it was obvious she added to this family’s hardship. Why else would Mama McKenna suggest she marry Michael?

“I’m another mouth to feed around here.”

“You’ll be another mouth to feed at your mother’s place as well, and she’s no better off than we are.”